Portable tabletop extension

ABSTRACT

A portable tabletop extension for restaurants and public eating facilities comprising of 2 spaced apart adjustable table mounts securing to any restaurant or eating facility table, countertop, or booth by a tightening bolt, and a tabletop extension that fits securely upon the adjustable table mounts at 2 different heights secured by a locking pin (L pin) in order to provide a seating choice and full accessibility to customers who utilize a wheelchair, scooter, or selective walkers.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is designed for existing tables, countertops, and booths in restaurants or eating facilities.

An adjustable portable tabletop extension is a required necessity for people with disabilities who utilize manual or electric wheelchairs, scooters, or some type of seated walkers to be able to sit comfortably at any table, countertop, or booth at restaurants or eating facilities and to be able to reach their food and drink and condiments without any or little assistance. There is no existing portable adjustable tabletop extension that meets these needs for any disabled individual to sit comfortably anywhere within restaurants or eating facilities.

Currently restaurants and eating facilities utilize the standard knee clearance height of tables and booths which is 29½″ from the floor to the bottom of their table. When the tabletop surface is added to this base it is usually 1¼″ to 2″ thick. This does not add an additional height to the table for knee clearance; it becomes part of the obstacle due to the low height of the table base. The ADA regulations currently state that the minimum knee clearance of any table is 27 inches and the tops of accessible tables and counters shall be from 28 inches to 34 inches high. While the standard table base meets the minimum knee clearance required by ADA regulations, the standard knee clearance of individuals in wheelchairs is 30-32 inches. With the ADA regulations requiring a 6 inch variation in table and counter heights it is impractical and impossible for any restaurant or eating facility to create and maintain an adjustable full sized table or counter to meet the needs of disabled customers. At the size and weight of current tables, employees would be unable to adjust a variable height table to accommodate these customers. It is also impractical to raise an entire table or counter for one individual if there are other non-disabled customers at the same table. If the table is raised to accommodate the disabled customer it would be completely uncomfortable for the other non-disabled customers at the same table.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Portable Tabletop Extension consists of 2 parts that are stored within a stackable carrying case and taken to the table or booth when a disabled customer in a wheelchair or scooter enters a restaurant or eating facility. The invention can be quickly removed from the case and the adjustable table mount attached at the location chosen by the customer by the host/hostess or waiters/waitresses. Once tightened in place the portable tabletop extension will be placed onto the table mount and adjusted to either of 2 heights in order to accommodate the disabled customer. Once the appropriate height is chosen the employee will lock the portable tabletop into place with the locking pins and it is ready for use by the disabled customer.

With the precise dimensions of the invention this allows comfortable seating of disabled customers at any table or booth location throughout any restaurant or eating facility. With just the invention adjustable to accommodate the comfort of the disabled customer, the table or booth remains at a comfortable height for any customers accompanying the disabled individual. When the disabled customer is finished and leaves the restaurant or eating facility the invention can be easily cleaned, removed, and stored to be used by the next disabled customer and allows the existing table or booth to remain at their existing heights to be used by all other customers at any time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS 0F THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the adjustable table mounts separated and being placed on a table or counter and the adjustable screws tightened to fit securely.

FIG. 2 is a completed view of the adjustable table mounts on the table or counter.

FIG. 3 is the portable tabletop being placed upon the adjustable table mounts and the locking pins inserted.

FIG. 4 is the fully assembled portable tabletop extension.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the tabletop tubes that fit onto the adjustable table mounts and the locking pin that secures the portable tabletop into place upon the adjustable table mounts.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the rod on the adjustable table mounts showing the 2 adjustable height openings for the locking pins.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the portable tabletop.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the portable tabletop.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the fully assembled portable tabletop extension.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings the adjustable table mount bases, generally designated 20, are slid onto any table, countertop, or booth. The adjustable table mount bases are made up of a glass beaded plastic injected material from an injection mold as one solid piece. The adjustable table mount bases are separated to an exact distance apart utilizing the Velcro attached nylon strap, generally designated 22. The adjustable tightening bolts, generally designated 21, are tightened or loosened to fit the designated thickness of the table, countertop, or booth.

Referring to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the adjustable table bases 20 are securely attached to a restaurant or eating facility table, countertop, or booth.

Referring to FIG. 3 of the drawings, the portable tabletop extension, generally designated 23, is placed over the adjustable table mount bases 20. The hollow tubes, generally designated 25, fit securely over his adjustable table mount base rods, generally designated 26. The portable tabletop extension 23 and 25 is made of an acrylic material through an injection mold as one piece. Once one of the two adjustable heights are chosen the locking pins, generally designated 24, are slid through the open hole of the hollow tubes 25 and the adjustable table mount base rods 26 walking the portable tabletop extension into place. The locking pins are made of an acrylic through an injection mold process.

Referring to FIG. 4 of the drawings, the portable tabletop extension 23 is secured on to the adjustable table mount base 20 with the locking pins 24 and ready for use.

FIG. 5 of the drawings is an exploded view of the hollow tubes 25 of the portable tabletop extension 23 and the locking pins 24.

FIG. 6 of the drawings is an exploded view of the adjustable mount rods 26 adjustable tabletop mount bases 20.

FIG. 7 of the drawings is a top view of the portable tabletop extension 23.

FIG. 8 of the drawings is a bottom view of the portable tabletop extension 23 and the hollow tubes 25.

FIG. 9 of the drawings is a bottom view of the portable tabletop extension 23 attached to the adjustable table mount bases 20, separated precisely by the nylon strap 22, and secured in place with the locking pins 24.

The materials for the portable tabletop extension are made from an injection molded beaded glass plastic and acrylic plastic in order to maintain a rigid surface and mount to support the weight of plates and glasses used for serving food in restaurants and eating facilities. This material is also easy to clean by wiping down with a wet cloth and stored away. The material is not affected by temperature or weather conditions.

Sequence Listing

Not Applicable 

1. An adjustable portable tabletop extension assembly for the tables, countertops, or booths of restaurants or eating facilities comprising: an adjustable table mount base fixed at the proper width by a nylon strap that is secured to any table, countertop, or booth through the use of a screw type adjustment that tightens to any thickness of table, countertop, or booth providing a secure and safe base for the portable tabletop;
 2. A portable tabletop extension fits securely onto the adjustable table mount base through the use of 4 tubes extending from the bottom of the tabletop that slides over the fixed solid rods of the adjustable table mounts, in either 1 of 2 adjustable heights;
 3. 2 locking pins (L pins) sliding into the mounting holes of the adjustable table mount base and portable tabletop to lock the portable tabletop extension at the appropriate required height for proper use. 